I had a doozy last night. Get this...

I was riding along in the bike lane -- Harvard Ave, Brookline MA, Coolidge Corner for anyone who knows it. This is a moderately functional bike lane, mostly because by now motorists generally know it's there and how to treat it.

Note I said "generally".

So, I'm cruising along Harvard Ave and I come to Beacon Street, which is two lanes each way separated by a set of trolley tracks. No biggie, I'm riding on through, cars passing me, not doing that much faster than me. Motorcycle comes up alongside me, ridden by a guy in office drag. He pulls ahead and as he exits the intersection, he swerves right...into the bike lane, where he rode along next to a line of stopped cars.

"This will not end well," I thought, and I was right. What I thought would happen was this simple-minded gherkin would putt-putt along in the bike lane until he either

a)came upon a cyclist,
b)ran afoul of a cabbie at the cab stand in front of Booksmith, or
c)came to the next intersection where he might get right-hooked.

What actually happened was that I heard a yell, a tire screech, and one motorcycle, one motorcyclist, and one pedestrian were down on the pavement.

Seems Bright Boy didn't know, or conveniently forgot, that there's a crosswalk at that intersection (like there is at every intersection in Brookline)...that it gets a lot of use, by pedestrians who expect you to stop...and that when the cars are stopped like that, there's only one reason. There's no traffic light, there's no stop sign...if the cars are stopped, it is because there are pedestrians in the crosswalk. Really. Even if you can't see 'em yet.

Fortunately for Easy Rider, he hadn't actually hit the pedestrian -- just made him jump out of the way and fall down. Even more fortunately, the pedestrian was young and able-bodied, and came out of the experience with no injuries except to his temper. He read the motorcyclist off briefly while Original Genius stood there going bah-bah-bah-bah, the motorcycle laid on its side going chuk-chuk-chuk-chuk and leaking gas all over the street (no, he didn't have the presence of mind to shut it down), and pedestrians drivers bicyclists and pigeons all stared at this with our jaws hanging open at the incredible dumbness.

So, pedestrian collects his scattered possessions and goes on his way...and I'm stopped in the bike lane which is currently occupied by one leaking motorcycle, and one White Collar Harley Dude with a "why is this happening to me?" look on his face. He turns said look on me, and I said, "Dude, 'bike lane' don't mean motorcycles."

Stunned look continues. Me: "Come on, now. Pick it up...and go on your way."

And he picked it up...got back on...and proceeded down the street...

IN THE BIKE LANE.

You can't make this stuff up.

Nice. I'm sure we'll run into each other some day. I usually wear a red Specialized riders jersey, and i'm on a silver Specialized Sirrus (yeah i'm sure that'll help...)

I was still north of the GWB when i got the flat, so i took the overpass at 181st street and walked to the A train from there. I start out about 4 miles North of you.

Name's Jeremy by the way.

Nice ride. Saw some deer drinking at Credit river.

I got buzzed from the right by someone who had to pass me in the right-turn to get back to the go straight lane (I was in a bike lane between the 2). Otherwise a fine ride.

Thursday is work in the city day so no train today, just an easy 10 minute ride on side streets to the office. A bit warm though today but all good!

:commute:

Got buzzed by a JAM in a bigass Tahoe on a narrow lane. I looked back, gave him The Look, and took the lane. JAM moved over just enough to slide by me with about 6 inches of space. He had enough space to take the other lane so it's not like he didn't have room. I whacked his passenger door with the heel of my hand. It made a satisfying THUNK but no dent.

Jerk.

haven't had time to commute this week due to after work plans, but at least i'm riding today! should be doing some downhilling on my mtn bike after work :thumb:

:D That sounds like a euphemism for people buying stuff they can't afford.

I took a different route than usual and think I like it better. It seemed a little easier and quicker. It was a good ride, although, at one point, a Metro double length bus like this one, passed me, then merged back over before he was all the way past. I had to hit the brakes or get squashed against the curb.. punkass..

I haven't commuted in four days. I dropped a picture frame and a piece of glass went through my knee and now I have stitches that hinder me from riding my bike. :(

Keith. I'm the guy on the Swift, wearing a weird combination of bike gear and work shoes. Once the new hitch gets here, I'll be the guy on the Swift towing a trailer.

I'll be hitting the greenway at Battery Park around 5:15 today, heading uptown. Maybe see you along the way. (And today I get to try out the new Crossrack, which supposedly handles grocery bags well, by calling ahead for take-out at Dinosaur.)

Stepped on the pedal and thought I lost the cleat on my shoe. Looked down and realized I still had my regular shoes on and my bike shoes were in my desk. Decided I didn't feel like going through the hassle of locking up again so I rode home with my regular shoes. Riding a fixed gear with clipless pedals and regular shoes feels weird. Good thing for front brakes.

Yeah, I hit IUPUI around 4:00pm and ride south on bluff/west. As for the construction I ride with the cars and pedal like hell, it is only about a block and with the timing of the lights it is not to bad.

Left much earlier today, and there was no traffic. Sped along. Man, cars really slow us down, don't they!

Chilly though. Brrrrrr.

I am so glad that tomorrow is Friday. I am really stretching for energy this week, as it has been, probably, my most mileage in a week since I got back in the bike. Tomorrow is supposed to be really humid, so I am thinking of heading in early, to avoid some of the heat.

The commute in this morning was very interesting, about 1/2 way in I ran into Zin. I recoginized him from is avatar picutre a couple of years back when he still lived in Montanna. It was nice to meet him and we enjoyed a visit heading into downtown Denver.

87.5 miles today 92*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB-4dHP-sQs

I haven't done my 12 mile commute to work again, because I was so exhausted the first time (1-1/4 hr.) I think I need to put smoother tires on the bike for starters.

But I did decide to bike to the grocery store about 2 miles away. I decided that I want to get accustomed to the idea of using a bike as "transportation" rather than just "recreation". I took the long way thru the Bird Sanctuary trail, and I wanted to avoid biking along highways, by trying to find a way thru the apartment complexes. But I wasn't able to do that, as the apt. complexes are all surrounded by chainlink fences. So I did have to ride along the road (the one with no shoulders) for a short while.

It was my first errand-running bike ride! I bought a few things that I would have jumped in the car for. It was a beautiful evening and not only did I get my errand done, I had a great endorphin high too!

I also want to add one comment... I'm kind of 'overage", like not a young kid, but walk into the grocery store with a bike helmet on and you will instantly drop 20 years! It's just like being on a motorcycle. Nobody will think of you as an "old lady".

Afternoon commute was awesome. I got home in an hour without even pushing hard (i've never gone faster than an 1 1/2 hrs till today). I'm loving the Aurora, and I think the new route is the way to go.

One thing that sucks though, one of my pedal reflectors broke as I came to a stop at one intersection. I haven't even had the bike for a whole week yet.. 'doh

Are you running the stock pedals? This happened to me too. The stock pedals are pretty crap, so I switched them out.

Limped home (to the LBS actually) with a broken front spoke last night- They fixed me up on the spot which was kind of them. This AM I had a very nice ride-Beautiful full moon setting, pretty sunrise, coolish temps w/ lowish humidity, light traffic....Very Nice!!! Am doing a 60 mile charity ride tomorrow, so will take it easy on the way home to avoid depleting my glycogen stores.

Today was a bit muggy but an otherwise great morning. Looks like it's going to be very hot and humid for the ride home.

Traffic was lighter than usual this morning.

Big Ron: Glad to hear you got the spoke fixed. I hope your route isn't too bumpy. On mine, I have a section where there is construction going on and there's a ton o' potholes and gravel. Just glad I'm riding a hybrid. :)

Having said that, I took this morning off. Last night's commute home involved going into a headwind, which forced me to drop down a few gears, but still made the trip in under an hour. My legs are basically cooked right now, even after a hot shower and stretching. I may ask my wife to massage my legs tonight after we go see "The Dark Knight".

You know, If your legs are sore, riding will actually help them feel a little better. Works some of the excess acids out of the muscle.

no bike for me today - heat advisory for the NE - real feel of 102 around noon (I get off early on Fridays) and the air quality is atypically poor.

ok, so I'm a wimp:o

Well, I guess I am truly a bike commuter now, because after 495 miles of commuting since June 1, I got my first flat this morning! Luckily, it was on mile 9.5 of a 10 mile commute, so I just walked it to my office where I can repair it in comfort this morning. Looks like it might be a tiny pinch flat right next to the valve. Oh well-Not much energy today, the calorie deficit I am running is taking its toll, but I think it is working well.
The tough part will be getting through the bike store at lunch without buying a new bike to go with my new tubes.

Gonna be hot this afternoon, though-might have to jump in the neighbor's pool!

Thanks for the advice. My wife actually suggested that I ride (even leisurely) this Saturday, just so I can get some saddle time in and work my legs. I might just take that advice. :) (BTW, my wife told me that she was very proud of me for riding to work. :love:)

Good commute in, I left a little earlier than normal for me (6:30) and it was nice and cool. Every day I pass 20 or so rabbits and a prairie dog camp...I'm afraid one day they're going to take me out if I don't watch my speed.

Just about put 300 miles on my 7.5 since buying it on 6/05, which is amazing since I couldn't even ride 2 miles the first day I got it and now I'm commuting to/from work 15-20 miles 2-3 times a week plus shorter rides most other days. Only problem now is I want a road bike! Guess I could always put drops and STI shifters on the 7.5...but by that point I could spend $400 or so more and get an Allez.

Train was on time, not too hot yet this morning... I've got friends going to Six Flags today but I had 3 meetings scheduled for this morning so I didn't go. 2 of them have canceled and the one that is left will take about 15 minutes.

*sigh*

I should have gone with them...